Laundry machine



June 21, 1966 R. E. GREEN ETAL 3,256,720

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORLS R NA 40 E- GAEEAI Rage-, lrzx/ m A/ EM 2 M ATTO NEYS STOP SW. 35

June 21, 1966 E. GREEN ETAL LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1963 DOORSW. CYCLE TIMER DOOR LOCK SOL.

\f TEMRSEL. SW

MED. LEV. sw. TEMRSW THERM.

DRAIN 4 CLOSE R EV. TIMER MOTOR mason sw. f 5! 52 EXT. M

SOFTENER min AL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MOTOR REV- CAMS INVENTORS Noumea Gaza/v BY PM? W A ORNEYS United States Patent I 3,256,720 LAUNDRY MACHINE Ronald E. Green, Bettendorf, Iowa, and Robert H. Kerman, East Moline, lll., assignors to Ametek, Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 302,210

16 Claims. (CI. 68-12) This invention relates to laundry machines and particularly to an improved washer-extractor.

Prior known washer-extractors often have problems which arise due to improper load distribution at the time the driving means for rotating the article holding basket at extracting speed is energized. Normally, during the Washing cycle, the article holding basket is alternately rotated forwardly and reversely for predetermined intervals, after which the free water in the basket is drained and the basket is rotated at a rapid extracting speed. Additionally, when the high speed drive for the basket is initiated, it is necessary for the low speed rotation to be in the same direction as that caused by the high extracting speed drive. Otherwise, severe strains will be generated, particularly with the basket loaded with articles.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a washer-extractor laundry machinein which optimum distribution of the load in the basket will be ensured prior to rendering effective the extracting speed driving means for the basket.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a laundry machine in which a predetermined dwell will occur between reversals of rotation of the basket during the slow speed rotation thereof throughout the washing cycle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which means is provided to ensure that the last direction of rotation of the basket during the wash cycle will correspond to the direction of basket rotation during its fast extracting speed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor laundry machine in which steam is admitted to the basket after it has been rotated at extract speed, and air is caused to pass over the articles being laundered after the steam treatment, to maintain a uniform moisture content in the articles to facilitate other operations thereon, such as ironing.

In one aspect of the invention, a washer-extractor may comprise a housing within which is mounted an article holding basket that is fixed to a shaft extending through the back wall of the housing and to which pulley means may be fixed. A high speed motor may be belted to the pulley on the basket shaft, and a slow speed reversing motor may be belted between pulleys fixed to both motor shafts. The construction and arrangement may be such that when the slow speed motor is energized, it merely drags the high speed armature along under idle conditions. I In another aspect of the invention, the basket shaft may be hollow and may extend into the basket. Radial apertures may extend through the wall of the shaft and steam may be admitted to the hollow shaft for treating the articles within the basket. There also may be provided a fan for exhausting the steam and for causing air to pass over the articles within the basket.

By use of steam during extraction, it is possible to reduce the retention of moisture uniformly in the load to below 50%, and as low as 42%. Such permits effective and eflicient ironing of the clothes as they come from the machine. Retention is the amount of moisture as compared to dry clothes. By properly distributing the clothes around the periphery, the steam will be uniformly distributed thereto.

In another aspect of the invention, the housing may be 3,256,720 Patented June 21, 1966 provided with the usual inlet for hot and cold water with solenoid valves therefor that may be controlled by pressure switches responsive to the pressure head of water within the housing, and the drain may be controlled by a solenoid operated squeeze valve operating on a resilient section of the drain.

In still another aspect of the invention, a control circuit may be provided which may include a cycle timer for sequentially operating the various components of the washer-extractor.

In still another aspect of the invention, a reversing timer may be provided for the slow motor means, and it may include adjustable cam means for providing a predetermined dwell between successive reversals of the slow speed motor means. time between basket reversals is less than about one and three-quarters seconds, during which the basket is stopped and changes direction, the articles within the basket will not have a chance to be properly distributed. Consequently, when the basket is speeded up to extracting speed, serious balance problems arise.

It has also been found that if the dwell time is in excess of substantially three and one-half seconds, the articles may drop away from the basket wall, balling up so that when the basket is speeded up to extracting speed, a serious imbalance may occur.

It has been determined that for washer-extractors with basket diameters ranging from about 25 to 60 inches and with basket speeds during the wash cycle between about 22 rpm. for larger baskets and about 49-52 rpm. for smaller baskets, a dwell of about two and one-quarter to two and one-half seconds will produce substantially optimum conditions.

The above, other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a washer-extractor to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram for the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail of a reversing timer employed with the circuit in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a cycle timer cam which can be used with a cycle indicated thereon.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a washer-extractor including an enclosure 10 in which a bulkhead plate 11 is rigidly mounted. A cylindrical shell 12 extends between the bulkhead plate 11 and the front panel 13 of the enclosure 10 and is hermetically sealed to both, there being an opening 14 in panel 13 concentric with shell 12', thus forming a housing 12 within which a perforated basket 15 may be mounted for rotation and which basket is connected to a shaft 16 journaled in hearings on a platform 17 that is located between bulkhead plate 11 and the back wall of enclosure 10. A door 18 may be hinged to enclosure 10 for closing the opening 14, through which latter articles to be washed are inserted into the basket 15. The invention can be applied, of course, to machines housed in various types of enclosures.

In one form, shaft 16 may be hollow and may extend into basket 15. The end within the basket may be closed while the opposite end is open and connected through a rotatable seal to a steam l-ine 16A. Radial apertures 163 may be provided along shaft 16 within basket 15 for admitting steam to the interior of the latter during extraction or while the clothes are being centrifuged. A fan 16C may be connected to the interior of shell 12' It has been found that if the dwell' J) for exhausting the steam and for causing air to pass over the articles or the cake within basket 15.

The shaft 16 has a pulley 19 fixed to it that is connected by a belt 20 to .a pulley 21 fixed to the output shaft of a high speed motor 22 that is mounted on platform 17. A pulley 23 is also fixed to the output shaft of motor 22 and it is connected through a belt 24 to a pulley 25 fixed to the output shaft of a slow speed reversing motor 26. The construction and arrangement of the parts are such that energizing motor 26 with motor 22 de-energized causes basket 15 to be rotated at a slow wash speed through pulleys 23, 21 and 19 driving the armature of motor 22 under idle conditions. Upon energization of motor 22, with motor 26 de-energized, basket 15 is rotated at a rapid extracting speed through pulleys 21 and 19 while rotating the armature of motor 26 under idle conditions. Other types of motors and combinations thereof can be employed.

The housing 12 may include a water inlet 27 having solenoid valve means 28 and 29 for a purpose to be described later. It may also include a drain or dump valve having a resilient tubular section 31 which may be collapsed by a squeeze type valve 32 that is controlled by solenoid 33.

Additionally, a pressure operated water level switch or control 34 may be provided, and it may be responsive to the pressure head developed by the water within housing 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, a stop switch 35 may be operated by a cycle timer 36 which may be a disk, cam or drum controller that is manually turnable to initiate a cycle of operations. An example of a disk cam is seen in FIG. 4, such being turned by a suitable timer motor. Turning timer 36 closes contacts 35, and with door 18 closed, contacts 37 are closed. This energizes solenoid 33 since cycle timer 36 has closed drain switch 40, thus collapsing the resilient section 31 of the drain. Such also causes current to flow through pres-sure switch 34 since, with no water in housing 12, its contacts are closed. Contact 38 is held in its upper position (FIG. 2) by a cam on the timer 36; hence solenoid 28 is energized, supply hot water to inlet 27 since the manual switch 39 is set as shown. Should switch 39 be set at its intermediate position, both solenoids 28 and 29 would be energized, giving water at a temperature halfway between 100 F. and the hot water temperature of about 160 F., or a resulting water temperature of about 130 F. If switch 39 is at its lowest position, only solenoid 29 will be energized, giving water of about 100 F.

When water within housing 12 has reached a predetermined level, the contacts of pressure switch 34 open, de-energizing solenoids 28 and/or 29, stopping the flow of water to the housing 12. In the meantime, a reversing timer 41 is energized through closed contacts 40. It is designed alternately to close contacts 42 and 43 alternately to energize relays F and R to effect the reversal of rotation of slow speed motor 26, switches F and R being actuated. It has been found that if the dwell time between basket reversals is less than about one and threequa'rters seconds, during which the basket is stopped and changes direction, the articles within the basket will not have a chance to be properly distributed. Consequently, when the basket is speeded up to extracting speed, serious balance problems arise.

It has also been determined that if the dwell time is in excess of substantially three and one-half seconds, the articles within the basket may drop away from the basket wall, balling up so that when the basket is speeded up to extracting speed, a serious imbalance may occur.

It has been found that for washer-extractors with basket diameters ranging from about 25 to 60 inches and with basket speeds during the wash cycle of between about 22 rpm. for larger baskets and about 4952 rpm. for smaller baskets, a dwell of about two and one-quarter to two and one-half seconds will produce substantially optimum conditions.

Referring to FIG. 3, the reversing timer may include two cams 44 and 45 having, respectively, lobes 44' and 45'. A nut 46 may lock two cams in adjusted relative angular position. As shown in FIG. 3, contacts 42 are closed by cam lobe 44 and contacts 43 are opened by cam 45. Rotation of the earns 44, 45 clockwise from the position shown for about will open contacts 42. However, 110 rotation of cams 44, 45 will still leave contacts 43 on cam 45 open. The distance between the leading edge of lobe 45' after this 110 rotation would leave about twenty or more degrees of rotation before the leading edge of lobe 45' closes contacts 43. This dwell period may be varied by adjusting the relative angular positions of cams 45 and 46 so as to provide a predetermined dwell between reversals within which the articles in basket 15 become properly distributed prior to increasing the basket speed to the extracting rate.

After a present time interval, cycle timer 36 moves switch 38 to its lower position as well as contacts 40. However, nothing occurs until the solenoid 33 is deenergized and the free water in housing 12 has drained to a predetermined level, whereupon switch 34 closes. Should the contacts 42 be in the upper position at this point, solenoid 33 remains energized as does the reversing timer 41, so that the latter continues to rotate earns 45, 46 clockwise until they lower contacts 42 and raise contacts 43, thus effecting the forward rotation of basket 15. Additionally, until substantially all of the free water has been drained, contacts 34 are in their upper position, preventing the energization of the extract or high speed motor actuating solenoid 52. When it is energized, the normally closed contacts 52A open, de-energizing the circuit for motor 26 and closing the circuit for motor 22, rotating basket 15 at extracting speed while idling the armature of motor 26 or de-energizing motor 26. Steam may then be injected into the cylinder by the cycle timer energizing the steam solenoid 47 for a predetermined time. Thereafter, if desired, the cycle timer may energize fan motor solenoid 48 for turning on the fan for a predetermined time.

Merely by way of example, the cycle can be as follows, a cam plate as seen in FIG. 4 having ribs thereon for operating the switches being employed:

Operation Time Elapsed Time 7% t0 8% 8% a4 12 1% 13% 2 15% 1% 17 2y 20 2t Shakeout, zi

27 minutes (26% for 7% min. wash) At 138 (8 /2 minutes) the drain switch 33 opens the I circuit to the drain valve allowing drainage for 1% minutes until 153 (9% minutes). The reversing timer motor 41 will continue to run until it is in forward position. If in reverse, it will run until it changes to forward position. The wash motor 26 will run in the forward direction until at 144 the extract water-off switch 52 closes the circuit through the extract contactor 52A for 45 seconds until 153 (9% minutes), providing the level of water has dropped enough to close the circuit at the pressure switch 34. This breaks the circuit at the extract interlock which prevents the wash motor from running, and energizes'the extract motor 22.

At 153, the drain valve 32 closes, the extract circuit opens, and the reversing wash speed resumes for 2% 1 minutes. until 180 (12 minutes) with the medium temperature circuit open. At 180, the drain again opens to repeat the first drain operation except that it lasts for 1% minutes, bringing the cycle to 201 (13% minutes). Again the extract speed has been delayed 30 seconds beginning at 186 (12 /2 minutes) and ending at 201 (13% minutes).

At 225", the drain opens for 1% minutes until 240 (17 minutes). After a 30-second delay, the extract speed begins at 231 (16 /4 minutes) and lasts until 240 (17 minutes). At 240", the final fill begins, lasting for 3 minutes until 276 (20 minutes). The medium temperature circuit remains closed until 276 (20 minutes). At 240 the add softener light circuit switch 51 closes until 276 (20 minutes).

At 276, the drain valve opens for 6 /2 minutes until 354 (26 /2 minutes). After a 30-second delay, the extract speed begins for 6 minutes until 354 (26 /2 min utes). At 354, the drain valve closes and the extract water-off switch keeps the water shut OE, and the slow speed reversing takes place. Thus, shakeout will occur for /2 minute until 360 (27 minutes).

If steam is used, a rib can be provided on the cam plate for turning on the steam for 2 minutes during the last high speed spin.

An example of results when using steam is shown in the following runs in a 60-inch drum machine, the machine operating smoothly and the percentage retention ranging between 40 to 46 percent:

Test I II III Wash time, min 15 5 5 Total load, bone dry 3 compts, lbs 300 300 300 Low extract speed time, dump valve closed, sec 20 20 20 Low extract speed time, dump valve open, sec 60 60 60 Acceleration to high speed of 420 r.p.m., sec- 30 30 30 Total high speed extract time, min 18 15 25 Temp. at start, steam turned on, F 160 160 161 Temp. after 1 min., F 198 202 195 Temp. after 2 rnins., F--. 210 210 210 Time steam on, min 19 Coast to 20 r.p m tune to stop 1:20 1:15 1:15 Temperature at stop, F 125 120 130 Tumble with bloWer 2:40 2:00 2:00 Weight (one compartment), lbs. 144% 146 143% Percentage Retention 44% 46 43% Percentage Retention after min. further opera- 40 tion with blower The index of extraction can be termed percentage retention which is the percentage of moisture (water) retained in the extracted load. Bone dry weight is used as a reference.

In one form, after the final drain, the reversing low speed portion of the cycle can be repeated for a short period so as to shake out the clothes from the packed condition within the drum. This will make it easier to remove the same.

Although the various features of the improved washerextractor have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket rotatably mounted in said housing; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket for rotating said basket in opposite directions during a washing cycle; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; and a reversing timer in said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, and contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means in alternately forward and reverse rotation while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals.

2. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket rotatably mounted in said housing; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket for rotating said basket in opposite directions during a washing cycle; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; and a reversing timer in said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternately reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means.

3. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; low speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other; contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means for alternately forward and reverse rotation while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said low speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and means for ensuring the forward rotation of said low speed motor means before said relay means becomes effective.

4. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; low speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes. of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternately reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means; relay means within said circuit for tie-energizing the circuit for said low speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and means for ensuring the forward rotation of said low speed motor means before said relay means becomes effective.

5. In a washer-extractor, a housing; abasket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including relatively adjustable cam means for alternately reversing the rotation of said slow motor means while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals thereof; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substantially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

6. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other; contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means for alternately forward and reverse rotation while providing a predetermined dwell time between succesive reversals; relay means within said circuit forde-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substantially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

7. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternately reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substantially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

8. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including relatively adjustable cam means for alternately reversing the rotation of said slow motor means while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals htereof; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

9. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer Within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other; contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means for alternately forward and reverse rotation while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the Water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

10. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk earns angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternattly reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

11. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit 'for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including relatively adjustable cam means for alternately reversing the rotation of said slow motor means while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals thereof; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said slow motor means before said relay means becomes eifective; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substantially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

12. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other; contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means for alternately forward and reverse rotation While providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said slow speed motor means before said relay means becomes eflective; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substan tially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

13. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; low speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternately reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means; relay means within said circuit for tie-energizing the circuit for said low speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said low speed motor means before said relay means becomes eifective; and means for preventing the energizing of said relay means until substantially all of the free water in said housing has drained.

14. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; slow speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including relatively adjustable cam means for alternately reversing the rotation of said slow motor means while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals thereof; relay means within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said slow speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said slow motor means before said relay means becomes effective; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

15. In a washer-extractor, a housings a basket mounted for rotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; low speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other; contacts operated by said cams for energizing said motor means for alternately forward and reverse rotation while providing a predetermined dwell time between successive reversals; relay means within said circuit for d'e-energizing the circuit for said low speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said low speed motor means before said relay means becomes effective; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

16. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a basket mounted forrotation within said housing; high speed motor means connected to said basket; low speed reversing motor means connected to said basket; a control circuit for said washer-extractor; a reversing timer within said control circuit including a pair of disk cams angularly adjustable relative to each other, said disk cams having peripheral lobes of such angular extent that when said cams are adjustably locked together and rotated past electrical contacts for alternately reversing the rotation of said motor means, a predetermined dwell time occurs between successive reversals of said motor means; relay means Within said circuit for de-energizing the circuit for said low speed motor means and energizing said high speed motor means; means for ensuring the forward rotation of said low speed motor means before said relay means becomes eifective; and pressure operated switch means responsive to the pressure head of the water in said housing for controlling the energizing of said relay means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Examiner. 

1. IN A WASHER-EXTRACTOR, A HOUSING; A BASKET ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING; SLOW SPEED REVERSING MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BASKET FOR ROTATING SAID BASKET IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS DURING A WASHING CYCLE; A CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SAID WASHER-EXTRACTOR; AND A REVERSING TIMER IN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT INCLUDING A PAIR OF DISK CAMS ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AND CONTACTS OPERATED BY SAID CAMS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR MEANS IN ALTERNATELY FORWARD AND REVERSE ROTATION WHILE PROVIDING A PREDETERMINED DWELL TIME BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE REVERSALS. 